Integrated plumbing fitting

ABSTRACT

Involves an integrated composite plumbing fitting for a plumbing fixture. The integrated plumbing fitting includes all of the normal water control mechanism and is physically separated from the plumbing fixture, which may be a lavatory, with which the composite fitting is to be associated. The composite fitting includes two input water pipes, one for hot water and the other one for cold water, both connected to a mixing valve which may be controlled by a single lever. The integrated fitting also includes two stop valves, associated respectively with the two input water pipes, for closing either or both of the pipes whenever repairs or replacements or investigations are to be made. The integrated fitting also includes an exposed spout-end for discharging a stream of water received from a common outlet of the mixing valve. The integrated fitting also includes a case or housing, which may be made of metallic or plastic materials, and the entire structure is mounted in or against the wall above the plumbing fixture, namely, the lavatory. By manipulating the lever, hot or cold water, or a mixture thereof, may be fed through the spout-end from an elevated position above the basin of the lavatory, and the water may be accumulated in the basin and later released through the drain of the lavatory to the sewer system. The integrated fitting is arranged so that the conduits are closely coupled together by removable clips and all of the parts of the structure may be readily assembled or disassembled. The plumbing fixture itself has no water control mechanism, all of such mechanism being confined to the integrated fitting structure.

States Patent [1 1 1 1 TNTEGRATED PLUMBING FITTING [75] Inventor: JosephW. Owings, Smithfield, Tex.

[73] Assignee: American Standard 1nc., New York,

22 Filed: Mar. 12,1971

211 Appl.No.: 123,648

[52] US. Cl. 4/192, 4/166 [51] Int. Cl..... E03c l/042, E03c l/044, A47k4/00 [53] Field of Search 4/191, 192, 166; 137/359; 285/221, 305

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,150,098 8/1915 Bunting.4/191 3,443,266 5/1969 Mongerson et a1... 4/191 3,533,436 10/1970Parkison 137/359 2,021,241 11/1935 Mall 285/305 1,946,207 2/1934Haire... 137/359 1,019,000 2/1912 Watson 285/305 1,835,301 12/1931Hennessey 4/191 2,535,016 12/1950 Launder 285/305 X 3,011,520 12/1961Barkelew 137/359 X 3,080,570 3/1963 Weddendorf, Jr.... 4/192 3,092,8456/1963 Mustee 4/192 FORElGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,039,320 5/1953France 4/166 356,527 7/1922 Germany 4/166 41 1,729 1 H1966 Switzerland4/192 Primary Examinerwayne A. Morse, Jr.

Assistant Examiner-Donald B. Massenberg AtlorneyJefferson Ehrlich,Tennes 1. Erstad and Robert G. Crooks [57] ABSTRACT Involves anintegrated composite plumbing fitting for a plumbing fixture. Theintegrated plumbing fitting includes all of the normal water controlmechanism and is physically separated from the plumbing fixture, whichmay be a lavatory, with which the composite fitting is to be associated.The composite fitting includes two input water pipes, one for hot waterand the other one for cold water, both connected to a mixing valve whichmay be controlled by a single lever. The integrated fitting alsoincludes two stop valves, associated respectively with the two inputwater pipes, for closing either or both of the pipes whenever repairs orreplacements or investigations are to be made. The integrated fittingalso includes an exposed spout-end for discharging a stream of waterreceived from a common outlet of the mixing valve. The integratedfitting also includes a case or housing, which may be made of metallicor plastic materials, and the entire structure is mounted in or againstthe wall above the plumbing fixture, namely, the lavatory. Bymanipulating the lever, hot or cold water, or a mixture thereof, may befed through the spoutend from an elevated position above the basin ofthe lavatory, and the water may be accumulated in the basin and laterreleased through the drain of the lavatory to the sewer system. Theintegrated fitting is arranged so that the conduits are closely coupledtogether by removable clips and all of the parts of the structure may bereadily assembled or disassembled. The plumbing fixture itself has nowater control mechanism, all of such mechanism being confined to theinte grated fitting structure.

1 Claim, 7 Drawing Figures PAnzmEnnm 21915 i 3.761.967

SHEET 10F 5 I INVENTOR.

- JOSEPH W. OWINGS SW BY MM". W

ATTORNEY FIG.3

INVENTOR.

JOSEPH W. OWINGS ATTORNEY PATENIED 2 3.761.967

SHEET 30F 5 PN .MF MB IPH FIG.-4

INVENTOR. JOSEPH W. OWINGS I ZTTORNEY PATENTEDBIIT 21915 SHEET 5 [IF 5BYQ ATTORNEY Fla s IPC COLD WATER HOT WATER COLD WATER INVENTOR, JOSEPHW. OWINGS INTEGRATED PLUMBING FITTING This invention relates to watercontrol fittings for plumbing fixtures, such as lavatories, and, moreespecially, to water control fittings which are physically separatedfrom the fixtures with which they are associated.

More particularly, this invention relates to the combination of aplumbing fixture, such as a lavatory, and an integrated compositefitting for the lavatory, the fitting being permanently stationed at aposition physically spaced from the lavatory and yet the fittingcontrols the flow of water into the lavatory. Still more particularly,this invention relates to the combination of such a plumbing fixture andsuch an integrated composite fitting in which the fitting includes alsointegrated stop valves, which are associated with input pipes, forstopping or re-starting the flow of water through the fitting and intothe basin of the lavatory.

A conventional plumbing fixture, such as a lavatory, usually includes aflat wall which may be horizontally oriented (sometimes called a deck)or a wall which may be vertically oriented, in each case the wallusually having three openings, one for receiving the control valve forthe hot water, another for receiving the control valve for the coldwater, and a third for receiving the spout mechanism which is coupled byappropriate piping to the two control valves and through which waterflows and is discharged into the basin of the plumbing fixturecontrolled by either or both valves. The several fittings are quiteconventional and, except for minor variations, customarily form part ofevery complete lavatory as it is available in the market and purchasedand used in a home or office.

Such conventional plumbing fittings are often mounted at the factory intheir assigned positions in the openings of the lavatory and, becausethey are made of metal while the fixture is made of chinaware, breakagesquite naturally occur, especially when pressure is applied for mountingor connecting or interconnecting or repairing the plumbing fittings.Such breakages in the chinaware render the plumbing fixture unsalableand unusable and hence the entire lavatory assembly must be discarded.This usually entails substantial monetary and other losses. The presentinvention, by omitting from the lavatory as it is manufactured and soldand used, all the water control fittings which are customarily mountedon the deck of a conventional lavatory or on a side wall of the basin ofa conventional lavatory, inherently avoids all such breakages becausethere cannot be any physical or mechanical contact or pressure betweenthe plumbing fixture and the required water control fittings. Theremoval from the lavatory of all fittings disposes of an importantbreakage problem.

Moreover, after such a conventional plumbing fixture and its mountedfittings are shipped as a unit to a building for installation, breakagesmay also occur not alone in transportation, but also when a workerapplies a wrench to the fittings or uses some other expedient toestablish a good, leakproof connection between the fittings of thelavatory and the existing pipes of the building. If pipes are notproperly aligned with the fittings, as is often the case, the plumbermay employ nipples or tees or other plumbing devices to produce thenecessary alignment. Sometimes a pipe is bent or otherwise stressed toachieve the required alignment. These short-cuts and expedientsintroduce problems in installations. Sometimes the chinaware of thelavatory may be stressed unduly and chipped or broken and thereby marredin appearance. Such breakages may create difficult situations that occurall too often and are better avoided. They are costly annoyances andthey also introduce costly delays in installation or service use.

Furthermore, the usual control valves of the conventional plumbingfixture, such as a lavatory, or its faucet, sometimes require repairs orreplacements and, for this purpose, it is frequently necessary to reachthe main water valve to turn off the water before any such repairs orreplacements may be made. This sometimes requires the help of anassistant and the operation then becomes quite complex as well asexpensive.

In accordance with the present invention, small, simple stop valves areunified into the plumbing fitting as integral parts thereof and arepositioned closely adjacent to the control valve and supply pipes inwhich adjustments may have to be made. Hence, the main water valve neednot be searched for in other parts of the building and turned off andlater turned on. By this arrangement, repairs and replacements may beeasily made in the composite fitting by the home owner or by otherspromptly without cutting off water supply to other installations. Thestop valves are integrated into the fitting of this invention and eachone is immediately adjacent to the control valve and can readily beopened or closed, as may be desired, for repairs or replacements.

The integrated plumbing fitting of this invention may be installed in abuilding at the time of its construction or renovation so that it may bein place and available well before the lavatory may be selected andshipped and installed. The lavatory itself, free of the usual plumbingfittings, therefore, may be floor-mounted or wall-mounted, in the usualway, without regard to the fittings with which the lavatory will beassociated even though the fittings will be spaced from the lavatory.Only a drain or sewer pipe has to be coupled to the plumbing fixture toremove and dispose of the water discharged from the basin of thelavatory and this completes the entire installation.

An integrated plumbing fitting of the kind involved in the presentinvention is quite small and compact, almost miniaturized, and, becauseits housing may be made of colorful metallic materials or plastics, thestructure is simple and its cost of manufacture is low, its color may bematching or contrasting to the color of the plumbing fixture, and itsinstallation can be quickly achieved at low cost. By changing the colorof the housing, the color combination may be varied whenever desired. Bymanipulation of the handle of the plumbing fitting, the user may producea smooth laminar stream passing in a trajectory path into the basin ofthe lavatory.

This invention and its objects and features will be better and morecompletely understood from the following more detailed description andexplanation of one form of equipment suitable for carrying out theprinciples of this invention, in which FIG. 1 illustrates a perspectiveof a lavatory or other plumbing fixture, along with a wall-mountedintegrated fitting;

FIG. 2 illustrates a side elevational view, partly in section, of thecombination shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a front elevational view of the same plumbing fittingtogether with the incoming water pipes which may be mounted within oradjacent to the wall;

FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view taken along the lines 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view taken along the lines 55 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view when taken along the lines 6-6 ofFIG. 5',

FIG. 7 shows a top plan view, partially broken away, of the adjacentarrangement shown in FIG. 6.

The same reference characters will be employed to designate the same orsimilar parts wherever they may occur throughout the drawing.

Referring generally to the several figures of the drawing, there isshown a lavatory LV and an integrated plumbing fitting IF which isspaced and removed from the lavatory LV. It will be observed that thelavatory LV has a horizontal deck DK and a vertical back wall VW for itsbasin BS, but the deck DK and the wall VW of the lavatory LV are devoidof valves or spouts or other mechanism for the control of the flow ofwater into the basin BS of the lavatory LV and there are no openings inthe lavatory LV for such parts. However, the lavatory LV includes aconventional drain port DR which leads to a conventional sewer pipe SWthrough which water may be released from the basin BS. The lavatory maybe made of any material, for example, conventional chinaware or plasticbut, in either case, no water control fittings or faucet are to beassociated on or in the lavatory LV. This simplifies the constructionand installation problems of the lavatory.

Referring more particularly to FIG. 4, it includes a handle I-IN, anozzle NZ preferably employing a stream straightener, an input waterpipe IPI-l, which is one of two input water pipes affixed to theintegrated fitting IF, an output pipe OP which is within the integratedfitting lF, and mechanism including the cartridge CR which, as will belater explained, couples the two input pipes IPH and IPC to the commonoutput pipe OF for controlling the feeding and mixing of water flowingthrough the nozzle NZ and into the basin of the lavatory LV. As will befurther explained, the handle HN, when in its vertical position, willyield a substantially even mixture of hot and cold water suppliedthrough the pipes IlPI-I and [PC to the mixing chamber of the cartridgeCR from which the tempered water will be fed through the outpipe OP,then through the nozzle NZ, and then into the lavatory LV. Thetemperature of the water may be changed as desired by manipulation ofthe handle HN. To raise the temperature, it is only necessary to movethe handle toward the left, while a lowered temperature will be reachedby moving the handle HN to the right. In either case, the volume ofwater may be controlled independently of the tempera ture by changingthe angle of the handle I-IN from its relatively vertical position to aposition forming an angle more nearly receding from the verticalposition, the volume of water depending upon the angle of departure ofthe handle HN from its vertical position. The water may be shut off byreturning the handle HN to its uppermost position.

The cartridge CR is one of the important components of the mixing valvestructure preferably employed in connection with this invention. Thecartridge may include a pair of plates (not shown) made of very hardceramic materials which include input ports for receiving the hot waterand cold water and a common outlet port for discharging the mixture ofwater. The handle HN is mechanically coupled to the actuating arm ARassociated with cartridge CR. Hence, any movement of the handle HN isreflected by a corresponding displacement of the arm AR which, in turn,causes one of the ceramic plates to slide over the surface of the otheror stationary plate to regulate the relative openings of the inlet andoutlet ports. The two ceramic plates are always maintained in contactwith each other even during the sliding motion, the plate coupled to andcontrolled by the arm AR being slidable across the other or stationaryplate. In FIG. 6, for example, if the stop valve SVC is opened byadjusting its threaded member VC, cold water received from the pipe IPCwill be fed through an individual passage PSC into the openings of thetwo ceramic plates of the cartridge CR, then through the common passagePSM, then through the output pipe OP and through the nozzle NZ, as showngenerally by the directional arrows. It will be apparent that a likepassage is provided between the input pipe lPl-l and the common passagePSM through corresponding openings of the cartridge CR when thecorresponding stop valve SVl-I is open. The hot and cold waters aremixed while travelling through the cartridge CR and the tempered wateris then fed through the output pipe OP as already explained.

A suitable form of cartridge for a single lever mechanism to beincorporated into the structure of this invention is shown and fullydescribed in US. Pat. No. 3,533,436, of R. G. Parkison. issued Oct. 13,1970, and assigned to the assignee of the present application. Thatpatent more fully describes the operation as well as the features of thesingle lever cartridge mechanism CR. The disclosure of that patent maybe considered as part of the present disclosure.

In FIG. 5, there is shown a front view of the apertured base plate PL towhich the cartridge CR is affixed. The base plate PL includes an inputport IH for hot water and an input port IC for cold water, these twoports receiving the two streams of water to be mixed in the cartridgeCR. The mixed water is fed through the outlet port GM of the cartridgeCR and then through the outlet pipe OP. The base plate PL is shown aspart of a common molded structure CMS, which may be made of metal, suchas brass, or plastic material, the structure CMS also including the twostop valves SVC and SVH and their respective threaded members VC andVII. The molded structure (Ill/IS also includes threaded openings forreceiving screws SC for holding the structure CMS within the housing ofthe openings for receiving screws SC for holding the structure CMSwithin the housing of the fitting IF. The base plate PL also includesthreaded openings designated CRO which are employed to fasten thecartridge CR to the base plate PL.

As already explained, the inlet pipes IIPH and IPC feed hot and coldwater into the inlet ports 1H and [C respectively of the cartridgemechanism CR, and the two stop valves SVH and SVC are employed forindependently shutting off the hot water and cold water respectively,whenever desired. The two stop valves have threaded members VH and VC,respectively, each of which, when turned clockwise, will close therespective stop valve and, when turned counterclockwise, will open therespective stop valve. The stop valves should be closed whenever repairsare to be made on the pipelines or on the control mechanism. On theother hand, the stop valves should be opened, after the repairs havebeen completed. The stop valves may also be adjusted to regulate themaximum or minimum water flow conditions of the cartridge structure CR.

The outlet pipe OP fluidically couples the mixed water passage PSM tothe nozzle NZ (see FIG. 6). The outlet pipe OP is coupled to and heldlocked against the passage PSM by means of a U-shaped clip CLl. Asimilar U-shaped clip CL2 couples the outlet pipe OP to the passageleading to the nozzle NZ. No threaded members are employed for couplingthe outlet pipe OP fluidically between the passage PSM and the nozzleNZ. Each of the clips CLl and CL2 is a bifurcated metallic clip made ofa springy material and shaped generally in the form of a horseshoe andhaving curved inner sides for gripping the grooved segments of thecurved or circular pipe OP. Each of these clips CLl and CL2 may beremoved merely by pulling the clip away from the outlet pipe OP. Theclip is easily installed in place in the corresponding grooved segmentof pipe OP merely by moving the clip in the direction of the outlet pipeOP. Corresponding O-rings CR1 and CR2 inserted in other grooves of pipeOP prevent leakage of water into the external housing while the clipsCLI and CLZ permit easy installation and easy removal of the outlet pipeOP, as may be desired.

The external housing of the integrated fitting IF is composed of twomain segments which may be referred to as the mounting box MB and theface plate FP. Both of these members may be made of any material whethermetallic or plastic, but both preferably made of a plastic materialwhich may be pigmented in any desird colors. Pins PN are mounted in theface plate F? for guiding and positioning the face plate FP into themounting box MB when the two are to be joined together and closed. Theface plate FP includes the protruding nozzle NZ as a threaded componentpart of the face plate PP. The nozzle NZ is pointed toward the basin BS.It may be removed and replaced whenever desired. The face plate FP alsoincludes an opening FPO for receiving the arm AR for coupling the arm ARto the shank SK of the handle HN. This coupling through arm AR enablesthe cartridge CR to be adjusted for the temperature and volume of thewater by manipulation of the handle HN. The cover CP is retained againstthe face plate FP by means ofa spring SP so as to keep the face plate FPtaut.

A frame MF, which may be made of any material, preferably a stretchablematerial such as rubber, is retained around the exterior housing of theintegrated fitting IF and around the periphery of its mounting box MB.It serves not only to enhance the appearance of the composite structure,but also to retard leakage of water into the box MB. The mounting box MBmay have, for example, four extensions, each designated EX and eachhaving an opening for receiving a screw or other fastener for fasteningthe mounting box against the underside of the wall of the room in whichthe fitting IF is to be permanently located.

The nozzle NZ is shown as fixed within the face plate FP of the externalhousing and positioned at an acute angle with respect to the wall so asto emit a downwardly directed trajectory stream of water toward thebasin BS of the lavatory LV. Although shown as a fixedly mountedstructure, the nozzle may, if desired,

be adjustably mounted in the face plate FP so that the angle of thenozzle NZ may be changed by any desired amount with respect to the wall.So adjusted, the angle of the nozzle may be controlled in accordancewith the parameters, such as the pressure, volume, etc., of the incomingwater.

The physical separation of the integrated fitting [F from the plumbingfixture LV enables the user to change the plumbing fixture wheneverdesired without requiring any work to be done on the integrated fittingor, conversely, to change the integrated fitting without requiring anywork to be done on the plumbing fixture. The plumbing fixture and theintegrated fitting are coordinated but physically independent members.

The integrated fitting of this invention is especially suitable for usein pre-fabricated plumbing construc tion for low cost housing. All ofthe integrated fittings of the entire building may be installed in theearly stages of the construction program, well before the plumbingfixtures have been supplied and installed in the building forassociation with the respective integrated fittings. The soldering orbrazing of the input pipes lPl-l and lPC and the water supply system maybe performed by a semi-skilled worker well before the kitchens andbathrooms have been supplied with their plumbing fixtures.

By integrating the stop valves SVH and SVC into the base plate BL andthereby coupling the fluidic paths between the base plate and thecartridge CR and the nozzle NZ, the integrated fitting structure employsfewer parts than conventional fittings and equivalent installations,uses lower cost materials, simplifies the structure and reduces itssize, permits of a distinctive housing and, moreover, reduces the stepsand the labor required to complete the installation and to make repairstherein. Relatively minor skills are required for installation, repairand maintenance services.

While this invention has been shown and described in certain particulararrangements and organizations for illustration and explanation, it willbe apparent that the arrangements and organizations may be considerablymodified within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. The combination of a lavatory constructed to be used without plumbingfittings and constructed without openings for plumbing fittings buthaving a drain in the basin of the lavatory for receiving water fed tothe lavatory, a separately housed and integrated fitting including watercontrols to control the flow of water through the fitting and aspout-end for feeding water into said lavatory, the housing of saidfitting being wall-mounted and spaced above and separated from andindependent of said lavatory, said integrated fitting having a singleexposed handle to operate the water controls to regulate the water flowthrough the spout-end into said lavatory, the spout-end being spacedfrom the wall and positioned at an acute angle with respect to the wallso as to be pointed toward said lavatory to yield and outwardly anddownwardly directed trajectory flow path to the basin of said lavatory,said integrated fitting including a valve mechanism having adjacentdisks one of which is slidable against the other and having aperturestherein for receiving hot and cold water to yield a mixture of water ata temperature, controlled by the position of the handle, to be fedthrough the spout-end, said integrated fitting including a couplingmember for fluidically coupling the output end of the valve mechanism tothe spout-end, said coupling member comprising a conduit grooved at bothends, each end of the conduit having a bifurcated clip for fastening theend of the conduit to the integrated fitting, and two pipe lines forsupplying hot and cold water respectively to input ports of the valvemechanism of the integrated fitting, and two stop valves included asunified parts of the integrated fitting, said stop valves coupling saidpipe lines to the integrated fitting.

1. The combination of a lavatory constructed to be used without plumbingfittings and constructed without openings for plumbing fittings buthaving a drain in the basin of the lavatory for receiving water fed tothe lavatory, a separately housed and integrated fitting including watercontrols to control the flow of water through the fitting and aspout-end for feeding water into said lavatory, the housing of saidfitting being wallmounted and spaced above and separated from andindependent of said lavatory, said integrated fitting having a singleexposed handle to operate the water controls to regulate the water flowthrough the spout-end into said lavatory, the spout-end being spacedfrom the wall and positioned at an acute angle with respect to the wallso as to be pointed toward said lavatory to yield and outwardly anddownwardly directed trajectory flow path to the basin of said lavatory,said integrated fitting including a valve mechanism having adjacentdisks one of which is slidable against the other and having aperturestherein for receiving hot and cold water to yield a mixture of water ata temperature, controlled by the position of the handle, to be fedthrough the spout-end, said integrated fitting including a couplingmember for fluidically coupling the output end of the valve mechanism tothe spout-end, said coupling member comprising a conduit grooved at bothends, each end of the conduit having a bifurcated clip for fastening theend of the conduit to the integrated fitting, and two pipe lines forsupplying hot and cold water respectively to input ports of the valvemechanism of the integrated fitting, and two stop valves included asunified parts of the integrated fitting, said stop valves coupling saidpIpe lines to the integrated fitting.